Originally, Xia Yuan, who had been in a daze, was instantly jolted awake by this fall. After getting off Mei Fang, she looked at the Mei family members who had appeared in front of her, and feeling awkward in her pajamas, she waved her hand and greeted them:

“Ha, ha, hello, Aunt Xiang—uh, Mom, what are you doing here?”

Xia Yuan was so startled by the sudden appearance of Xiang Xiaoxia that she couldn’t even bring herself to call her “Mom” anymore.

However, although Xiang Xiaoxia had a complicated expression when she exchanged glances with Mei Fang, she turned to Xia Yuan with a smile as she greeted her:

“Yuan Yuan, you’re up?”

“Uh… yeah.”

“Be careful going down the stairs. It wouldn’t be good if you get hurt.”

“Mm! I’ll be careful!”

Xia Yuan nodded, then pulled Mei Fang along and said, “Then, I’ll go change and freshen up first!”

Mei Fang had been thinking about how to smooth over Xia Yuan’s awkward words, and maybe use the cat to cover it up later. But Xiang Xiaoxia never brought it up, and it wasn’t clear whether she hadn’t heard clearly or was too shocked to know what to say.

Only Mei Ya, who had been watching internet-famous elementary school students, kept making an O-shaped shocked face. After Mei Fang casually gave her a smack on the head, she remembered to hide her expression and affectionately held Xia Yuan’s hand.

“Yuan Yuan jie, long time no see!”

“It hasn’t been that long, right? Didn’t you come to visit after our graduation ceremony?”

“Not seeing you for a while feels like three years! I want to go play upstairs with you!”

“Alright, I’ll take you up!”

With that, Mei Ya led Xia Yuan upstairs, while Xiang Xiaoxia called Mei Fang to the courtyard to bring her dad back, and everyone prepared to have breakfast together.

Actually, forcing a confrontation with the family wasn’t that difficult.

Mei Fang had his own sources of income, and they were quite substantial, enough to extend to distant relatives on his father’s side, even the elders who were long gone. Everyone, except his mother, was trying to get on his good side and seek his favor.

However, if this caused a rift in the family, especially with his mother, Xiang Xiaoxia, who had always been very close to Xia Yuan since they were young, the happiness of the three would be somewhat compromised. But what the three of them hoped for was to get the blessing of their families; otherwise, they wouldn’t have been playing this game of deception since high school.

After all, Xiang Xiaoxia had been the one who facilitated and witnessed the beautiful bond between the three. If she hadn’t agreed to let her husband go to Baizhou alone to develop first, the three of them might have been separated by grade four of elementary school.

Not to mention that it would have been better if a childhood sweetheart could have boosted things, but at least looking at the results, the problems Lin Youxi and Xia Yuan faced during the time from grade four to middle school—especially that one time they argued—if Mei Fang hadn’t been there to help figure things out, their relationship might have collapsed.

When Mei Fang went outside to the courtyard to find his dad, Mei Lijun was watching the koi pond landscaping in the courtyard.

“Dad, stop watching the koi. Come eat.”

“Wait a moment.”

Mei Lijun cleared his throat, and when he was facing away from Mei Fang, his tone became steady and serious.

“Fang, it’s been many years since we’ve had a one-on-one conversation, right?”

“Well, that’s true…”

Mei Fang was a little surprised, “What are you planning to talk about?”

“Do you remember the koi story I told you when you were little?”

“……”

Mei Fang frowned and curled his lips, “When did you ever tell me a story? I think you were telling it to someone at your work.”

“It was when you first started kindergarten, and you were really clingy to me. You didn’t want to go, crying nonstop while holding my pants. But when you got to the older class, you seemed like a completely different person. After that, we didn’t have much communication or contact besides family issues.”

“……Was there really such a time?”

Mei Lijun’s words took Mei Fang by surprise. After all, he was reborn around the age of five and wouldn’t remember anything from before that, even if he hadn’t been reborn.

“I don’t remember this at all. So what’s the koi story about? Is it the one about the koi jumping over the dragon gate?”

“Yes, at that time, in order to get you to go to kindergarten, I told you that you were like a little koi fish, and kindergarten was your dragon gate. Once you passed through the gate and graduated, you could become a true dragon and soar freely between heaven and earth. You were so happy, always looking forward to growing up and graduating.”

Mei Lijun laughed heartily, “At that time, I was just trying to get you to stop being so clingy, and I said that casually. I never expected it to come true. Our Fang kid really did become a true dragon!”

“Uh.”

Mei Fang paused for a moment, then asked, “So what’s the point of bringing this up now?”

“Oh, it’s nothing… I just had some feelings seeing the koi you’re raising.”

“Ah, I see.” Mei Fang thought for a moment. “I thought you were hinting that I should buy you a Bugatti Veyron this year…”

Mei Lijun’s eyes immediately lit up, and he enthusiastically asked, “Did you mean the new version with a top speed of 407 km/h, a fuel consumption of 29.4 l/100 km, mid-mounted four-wheel drive, an acceleration time of just 2.5 seconds, a maximum power of 1200 horsepower, and globally limited editions?”

“Whoa, Dad, you really want it? You remember all the details?”

“Haha, I was just joking. I like sports cars, but I’m too old to really play with them.”

Mei Lijun patted Mei Fang’s shoulder and smiled, “Work and family won’t allow it.”

“That’s true… Mom would never agree to it.”

“It’s not because your mom doesn’t agree. I just don’t want to worry her.”

Mei Lijun smiled. “Do you think I’m scared of your mom? Am I henpecked?”

“Huh? Isn’t that true?”

“Your mom actually doesn’t have such a bad temper. She’s the eldest daughter in the family and has gone through a lot of hardship. She’s usually so busy that she has to deal with things in a rough way with younger siblings or kids. But she’s really a considerate person.”

“Just like with Xiao Ya. Even though your mom complains every day about Xiao Ya playing with toy dolls and scolding me for cleaning up, she doesn’t really forbid us from enjoying our hobbies. She just nags a little, you know…”

“……” Mei Fang listened patiently to his dad explaining Mom’s good intentions, and couldn’t help but chuckle as he heard all this.

Seeing his son laughing at him, Mei Lijun wasn’t pleased, “What are you laughing at?”

“Haha, nothing.” Mei Fang laughed and said to his dad, “Are you worried Mom is going to surprise me and make me hate her?”

“Well, she did go a bit far this time, but…”

“I’m not mad at Mom. After all, I kind of scared her with the early warning. But I can assure you, we’ll eventually make everything clear.”

“Good, with you saying that, I feel relieved. You have some backbone, this is the son I raised!” Mei Lijun patted his son’s shoulder and laughed. He then walked back to the house with Mei Fang side by side, and at that moment, Xia Yuan also came downstairs, changed and greeted Mei Lijun.

Thus, the family happily sat down for breakfast, enjoying the warmth of family life.

While eating, Mei Fang took the initiative to ask Xiang Xiaoxia:

“Mom, since you came early, do you have any travel plans? How about I take you to see our Twin Towers? The rest of the travel plans can follow Teacher Yu’s arrangement, how does that sound?”

“No need… Your mom isn’t an old person with dementia, I can make plans myself. I just want to stay with you guys a few more days and see how you’re doing… Whether you’re taking good care of yourselves, and also—”

Xiang Xiaoxia was talking while watching Xia Yuan, who was struggling to use her chopsticks. She then gently reminded:

“Yuan Yuan, why aren’t you eating… Did you not like the pancakes I made? You used to love them when you were little.”

“Ah, I… um—” Xia Yuan waved her hand, denying, “I’m on a diet recently, can’t have too many carbs.”

“Then eat a boiled egg, I’ll peel it for you.”

“Mom, no need… I can do it myself… I’m feeling a little… uh—”

Xia Yuan nearly threw up on the spot but managed to hold it in. She scratched her head and pretended to be cute, “My stomach isn’t feeling great today, hehe.”

“Forget it… Since you’re already this anxious, I’ll just say it plainly, lay it out!”

Feeling quite embarrassed by Xia Yuan’s brutal rejection, Mei Fang couldn’t pretend anymore and stood up straight.

“Mom, Dad, I’ll tell you the truth—we’re in a three-person relationship now, and Xia Yuan is also my child’s mother.”

!!

!!!

Mei Ya and Mei Lijun instantly took on the roles of an atmosphere team, making the same shocked O-shaped face. Not surprisingly, they looked a lot like father and daughter.

After Mei Fang finished speaking, Xiang Xiaoxia stared at him for a long time, her expression serious, and the whole room went silent.

In this tense atmosphere, Xia Yuan also stood up slowly and said earnestly:

“Mom, please don’t blame Ah Fang. This is something I’ve discussed carefully with Youxi for many years… You know, we grew up together, spent more time with each other than with our parents, so…”

Under everyone’s gaze, Xiao Xia let out a long sigh, then shook her head and said:

“Alright… you all, don’t be so nervous, I’m not blaming you, how dare I say you’re wrong? One by one, not only are you the CEO of a big company, but also female CEOs and big stars…”

“Mom, don’t say that. No matter how successful I am, it’s because you raised me, I will never forget my roots, and I will always respect you…”

“Then when I told you not to be with two people at the same time, did you listen?”

“No.” Mei Fang said seriously, “Yuan Yuan and You Xi are like my wings. If I only had one, I wouldn’t be able to fly.”

“You really have wings, don’t you… are you planning to fly to the sky?”

Xiao Xia slapped Mei Fang twice, then softly said, “Actually, I had prepared myself for this earlier, and I also knew it was almost time. You Xi has almost confessed everything.”

“????”

“You Xi?” Mei Fang and Xia Yuan both looked at Lin You Xi, who was elegantly sipping green bean soup, unable to believe that the biggest traitor was actually the one they trusted the most.

“Don’t look at me like that, I didn’t say it directly. I sometimes hinted to Mom, and Mom figured it out herself. It’s because Mom is so smart.”

Lin You Xi put down her bowl and then smiled at Xiao Xia, her playful look incredibly sweet. How could Xiao Xia bear such gentleness? She immediately smiled back, “When did you become so sweet-tongued?”

“I’m just being truthful… Mom is so understanding and gentle. I still remember the first time it rained heavily and I went to Mom’s house. When I saw her, she gave me a bath and tied my hair. That’s my earliest memory of Mom.”

Xiao Xia was always the type to be more receptive to softness than hardness. Hearing Lin You Xi recall the past, the image of that wet little pitiful child immediately appeared in her mind, and she was so touched that her heart nearly melted. She couldn’t help but rub her eyes, “So, how could I bear to let you two leave Ah Fang’s side?”

Mei Fang watched the warm interaction between Xiao Xia and Lin You Xi from the side, feeling a bit emotional.

Damn, my You Xi is usually so cold, but in front of my mom, she’s like a well-behaved little daughter, even more like a daughter than Xiao Ya…

Mei Fang glanced at the silly younger sister Mei Ya, who had finally calmed down, then continued to look at his mom, Xiao Xia.

“So… So, Mom, does this mean… you agree?”

“Don’t think you can talk your way out of it with me. We’ll talk about it slowly later.” Xiao Xia took a deep breath, “We’ll wait until You Xi’s and Yuan Yuan’s parents come over and then discuss it all together.”

After lecturing Mei Fang, her gaze also landed on Xia Yuan, who was still standing at attention. “Yuan Yuan, why are you still standing there? Sit, sit…”

“Mm-hmm, I’m coming—”

Just as Xia Yuan was about to sit down, Xiao Xia suddenly called out to her:

“Hmm, no. You come with me first, Yuan Yuan.”

“Ah, what, what’s wrong… Did I do something wrong?”

“It’s not that, don’t be scared… I need to tell you something…”

Xiao Xia maintained a calm expression, first smiled at Lin You Xi, then stood up and came to Xia Yuan’s side. Gently supporting her shoulder, she whispered in her ear, and then carefully helped Xia Yuan up, “You take Mom upstairs to the bedroom. I need to talk to you.”

“Okay, okay, Mom…”

Xia Yuan, feeling pampered by Xiao Xia, was a little surprised. She had clearly become the most cherished person in the Mei family.

But at the dining table, there was one person who wasn’t happy.

That was Mei Li Jun, who had just learned that he would have two daughters-in-law.

Of course, I agree with Yuan Yuan and You Xi being my daughters-in-law, but the problem is, as the head of the family, no one asked for my opinion! Do I care about face or not? Hmph…

While Mei Li Jun was sulking in his heart, Lin You Xi suddenly leaned over and smiled as she asked him:

“Dad, do you have any plans for today? How about Ah Fang and I take you and Xiao Ya out for a little fun?”

“Ah… yes! Yes! Yes! Let’s go, let’s go!”

Suddenly being called “Dad” by a daughter, Mei Li Jun instantly wore a blissful grin on his face—this little jacket is just too warm!

Meanwhile, Mei Ya, seeing her dad’s foolish expression, suddenly felt like she was the biggest loser today, and her expression gradually turned into the O-shaped mouth of an internet-famous elementary student.